Netflix to Roll Out Four Animated Kids Shows

Netflix is looking to boost its kids-targeted programming lineup with four new animated series set to debut over the next 12 months, the OTT service said Wednesday.

The new series include Kulipari: An Army of Frogs, based on a trilogy of books created by football star Trevor Pryce inspired by his childhood fear of frogs; and Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan and Jane,a new take on the iconic characters Tarzan and Jane in which a 16 year-old Tarzan returns from the African jungle to attend a London boarding school.

Two new series targeting pre-schoolers included Puffin Rock, a pre-school focused series in which two siblings explore the diverse array of sea, sky, land and underground creatures; and Cirque du Soleil - Luna Petunia (pictured), which follows a girl who lives in our world but plays in a dreamland where she learns how to make the impossible possible, said Netflix officials.

Netflix will also add three new first-run exclusive series including Russian-produced Masha and the Bear, Canadian-based The Day My Butt Went Psycho, and Norwegian pre-school series Elias.

"We couldn't be more excited to be partnering with such a diverse group of creative talent on these new Netflix series for kids," says Erik Barmack, Netflix vice president of Global Independent Content in a statement. "The flexibility of our platform allows us to continually bring the best TV shows from around the world to our members, and these titles compliment and extend what we currently offer - particularly for preschoolers and grade school adventure fans."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.